Casino dice game

ABSTRACT

A casino dice game includes the steps of requiring each player to make an ante wager, allowing each player to make a bonus wager at about the same time as making their ante wager, rolling a first set of dice and paying out those players making a bonus wager based on the outcome of the first set of dice. Play continues by allowing each player to made a bet wager, and for each of those players that make the bet wager, rolling a second set of dice, and paying out based on the outcome of the combination of the first set of dice and the second set of dice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of gaming, and morespecifically to the field of games of chance using dice involvingwagering.

Games of chance, and particularly betting games, must have certainattributes to make them attractive to players. Ideally, such gamesshould have reasonable odds in favor of the house or bank. Further, suchgames should be easy to learn, understand, and play. Such games shouldalso be exciting for all of those playing, and may pit each playeragainst the house as opposed to against each other.

Such games of chance must also have certain attributes to make themattractive to the house. Such games must have a suitable houseadvantage, and preferably a relatively small cycle time between roundsof betting so that more rounds of the game can be played in any givenperiod of time. Such games must be easy to administrate, learn, andplay. The equipment for such games must be easy to maintain and ispreferably inexpensive to manufacture.

The most popular casino betting games have all of these attributes tovarying degrees. For example, blackjack, or 21, is a game that canattract up to seven players per table, is relatively simple toadministrate, utilizes an inexpensive deck of cards and a screen printedfelt tabletop that is easy to maintain or replace, and providesrelatively quick cycle time between rounds of betting. The houseadvantage for blackjack varies with the strategy used by each player,but is always slightly in favor of the house.

In roulette, the maximum payout is 35 to 1, which is over twenty timesthat of blackjack and therefore more exciting to many people. However,the roulette wheel itself is relatively expensive to purchase andmaintain, typically about $6,000, and the average cycle time per roundis relatively high. Further, roulette only builds excitement for a shorttime, that is, when the ball is just about to land in the roulettewheel.

Craps is a game that can generate a tremendous amount of excitementamong the players and nearby observers. Such excitement is due, in part,to the fact that other players are betting on the chance outcome of apair of dice thrown by another of the players. As such, there tends tobe a higher degree of supportive vocalization from the players notthrowing the dice. Sometimes loud commotion from the players oftenresults in the craps tables being jammed to capacity. Further, the rulesin craps allow for the excitement to build as the player continues toroll the dice. On the downside, craps is a somewhat difficult game tolearn, to understand, and to play, and as a result is not appreciated bymany gamblers. Further, the maximum payouts for craps are not nearly ashigh as, for example, roulette.

Several dice games are taught in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 4,312,508 to Wood on Jan. 26, 1982 teaches a die game that isadministered by a dealer and allows for a number of playerssimultaneously. Other dice games are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,938to Gray on Jan. 13, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,559 to Page on Jul. 28,1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,114 to Carroll on Jan. 27, 1981. Whilesuch prior art games have several of the advantages listed above, nonehave all of the advantages of the present invention.

There is a need for a dice game that has reasonable odds, and would beeasy to learn, understand, and play. Preferably, such a game would havea relatively small cycle time between rounds so that more rounds of thegame can be played in any given period of time. The game would be easyto administrate and require relatively few decisions on the part of theplayer. Further, the equipment for such a game must be easy to maintainand is preferably inexpensive to manufacture. The present inventionfulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a dice game thatis easily understood and enjoyable to play.

It is another advantage of the invention to provide a dice game that iseasily learned by those without specialized knowledge.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a dicegame that has easily understood rules for wagering.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, acasino dice game comprises the steps of requiring each player to make anante wager; allowing each player to make a bonus wager at about the sametime as making their ante wager; rolling a first set of dice; paying outthose players making a bonus wager based on the outcome of the first setof dice; allowing each player to made a bet wager; and for each of thoseplayers that make the bet wager; rolling a second set of dice; andpaying out based on the outcome of the combination of the first set ofdice and the second set of dice.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing constitutes a part of this specification and includes anexemplary embodiment to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a casino dice gaming table in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may beinverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail,part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as abasis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown an overhead view of a casino dicegaming table 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Casino Dice gaming table 10 has a plurality of gamingstations 13, one each for the maximum number of intended players orgamers. In the illustrated embodiment, there are six gaming stations 13,one each for six players, though the game may be played with fewer thansix or may employ more stations on a table.

Each gaming station 13 for each player allows for three separatewagering positions: Ante 21, Bonus 23, and Bet 25, each of which will bedescribed in connection with play of the casino game. To play, eachplayer places a wager in the Ante 21 position. Players may also, but arenot required to place a wager in the Bonus 23 position. After the Ante21 wagers are placed and any desired Bonus 23 wagers are placed, thehouse or dealer rolls 3 dice. For those players placing a bonus 23 bet,payout of 1 to 1 is made when a pair of 4's or better is rolled, payoutof 1½ to 1 is made when a straight—3 successive numbers—is rolled, andpayout of 2 to 1 is made when 3 of a kind is rolled. For other outcomes,the Bonus 23 wager is kept by the house.

After payout is made for any payers that made a Bonus 23 wager, allplayers are given the option to then make a Bet 25 wager, which in theillustrated embodiment must be equal to the amount of the player's Ante21 wager. For those players that decide not to make a Bet 25 wager, playends and the Ante 21 wager is removed and kept by the house. For thoseplayers that make a Bet 25 wager, play continues. Each player insuccession then rolls 2 additional dice and payout for that player ismade based on the 3 dice rolled by the house and the dice rolled by thepayer as follows. The Ante 21 wager is paid 1 to 1 for 2 pair, 3 of akind, a full house, 4 of a kind, a straight, and 5 of a kind. For otheroutcomes, the Ante 21 wager is returned to the player. For those playersthat made a Bet 25 wager payout is made as follows: 1 to 1 for 2 pairand 3 of a kind; 1½ to 1 for a full house; 2 to 1 for 4 of a kind; 5 to1 for a straight; and 10 to 1 for 5 of a kind. For other outcomes, theBet 21 wager is returned to the player. After one player that made theBet 25 wager rolls 2 dice, the next player that made the Bet 25 wagerrolls 2 dice and that player's payout is based on the 3 dice rolled bythe house and the 2 dice rolled by that player.

Gaming table 10 also includes dice holding area 31 where the dice areplaced after rolled by the house or player.

It will be appreciated that many things may change and not depart forthe present invention, such as the number of players, the payout odds,the number of dice used and therefore the outcomes of rolls, and whenand who rolls the dice, and the number of dice rolled at a time, amongothers. Further, the present game may be played in connection with livecasino play, video play, virtual or internet play, and play at home orfor other non-wagering purposes.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. A casino dice game comprises the steps of: requiring each player tomake an ante wager; allowing each player to make a bonus wager at aboutthe same time as making their ante wager; rolling a first set of dice;paying out those players making a bonus wager based on the outcome ofthe first set of dice; allowing each player to made a bet wager; and foreach of those players that make the bet wager; rolling a second set ofdice; and paying out based on the outcome of the combination of thefirst set of dice and the second set of dice.
 2. A casino dice asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first set of dice is 3 dice.
 3. A casinodice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second set of dice is 2 dice.